Road Tripping to Iowa
Well.. I’m sitting here in Rapid City, South Dakota. I’d rather be sitting in the Black Hills National Forest camping like I had planned on. Sometimes things don’t go the way you plan. Sometimes your tire hits something and shears down to the steel cable in the tire. Now I’m waiting for a new set BFG KO2’s to get delivered to Point S Tire here in Rapid City. Of course, they’re an oddball size and no one has them in stock anywhere in town or nearby. So, that means I’m sitting here in the trailer at KOA for the next couple of days. Luckily the little store the KOA has sells beer. That will help the time go by.
Anyways, I’m currently on my way to Iowa to visit my sister for a bit. After that, It’s time to hit the road back to Washington. Though It’s going to be a slow one. Two to three weeks to come back home. There is a number of places I want to go spend some time on the way back. Places like The Badlands, Bruneau Sand Dunes, Jackson, I could make a big list here but I won’t I don’t have many set destinations. Mostly going to see where the roads lead (or wherever looks pretty rad).
Stay tuned to the blog and Instagram to see where I end up going. There won’t be tons of fully processed photos from this journey until I get back home. I work from a gaming laptop, so color accuracy isn’t the best, even when calibrated. If the colors look off that would be why. I’ll make corrections and upload corrected photos when I am able to. Once I am home I’ll be back on my art monitor to create a series of photos from the trip.
Have any recommendations of things to see while I’m out here? Shoot me an email and let me know!
Until next time,
Chance
Glacial Memories
Amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and quarantine, I've had the opportunity to delve into my archives. Revisiting older work with a fresh perspective has been a delightful experience. Recently, I've been reflecting on my Alaska photos, inspired by my work on a moody, dark forest scene. I pondered how I could infuse a similar sense of cold and darkness into those Alaska photos to enhance their overall atmosphere.
If you ever come across a photo on my website that catches your eye and you want a print of it, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Quarantine Photo Excursion - Garden Edition
I apologize for the prolonged absence from my website. As you may know, the world is currently grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic, and it has affected us all in one way or another. In my hometown of Kellogg, Idaho, life went on relatively unchanged, with just a slight drop in activity levels. However, when the stay-at-home order was put in place, I lost my seasonal job, and found myself alone for about 20 days. Eventually, I became tired of solitude and decided to visit my parents in Port Orchard.
Today was a quiet day, and we didn't tackle any household projects. Instead, I went for a walk, a kettlebell workout, and a 5-mile bike ride. Afterwards, while lounging in the sun, I realized it had been two months since I last picked up my camera. Reading "Creative Calling" by Chase Jarvis, an idea struck me - to wander the garden with a 24mm lens and restrict myself to that focal length, in an effort to challenge my creative abilities in a familiar setting. The photos below were taken with a Nikon 24mm 2.8D lens and a Nikon D610 camera body. Note that some colors may appear slightly off, as I am currently working without my art monitor, but I will have it back soon.
Until next time,
- Chance
Zilker Botanical Garden - Austin, Texas
I’ve been down in Austin, Texas for a few weeks now. The city is one of the most interesting I have been to so far. Full of good beer and good food (Go check out Nomadic Beerworks near SOCO). Along with some incredible places tucked right in the middle of the city. The Botanical Gardens at Zilker was an incredible place to spend most of the day. Wandering around the gardens I couldn’t help but be drawn back to the Zen Garden and the Prehistoric Gardens. I found myself wandering back between the two for a few hours. Searching for a composition under the hard sun was a challenge. Trying to see it I found myself switching the picture style on my camera to black and white to help myself see the scenes with some fresh eyes. Which gave me a little inspiration to make the time I spent here as a black and white series. My time in Texas has been fun. Exploring a new city and the lands around it have been nothing but fun. Off to Nebraska soon..
Zilker Botanical Garden 2019
Zilker Botanical Garden 2019
Zilker Botanical Garden 2019
Zilker Botanical Garden 2019
Zilker Botanical Garden 2019
Zilker Botanical Garden 2019
If there is a photograph you would like to order a print of reach out by email and lets chat. Print gallery will be coming to the website soon.
Chance@ChanceKeso.com
My Favorite Photograph
For any photographer choosing a favorite image is always a struggle. It feels like it’s the next one that will be the best, or it’s the one that missed and could never get out of your mind. For me, I keep looking back at a photograph I made in 2015 at a lake in the Olympic National Forest. A place that near and dear to me. I couldn’t tell you how much time I have spent in that forest over the years. I’ve come to know where almost every forest road leads to and where it ends.
Over year’s I began to fall in love with a small lake located there named Spider Lake. I’ve spent many nights camping near the lake. The lake is nestled right next to a Forest Service road but as you drive along you would almost never notice it. It’s set deep behind a massive row of evergreen trees. As you head down the road you will see a small pull off. High up in a tree there’s a small sign that reads Spider Lake. Once you park there is a trail that heads straight down the slope to the lake and proceeds around the entire lake weaving in out from the shore and through an ancient grove of cedars.
Throughout the days I have spent there I always woke up too late or wasn’t there for the one photo I always wanted to make. I woke up one morning early and saw a small layer of fog sitting on the lake, and the water was perfectly still. There was a perfect mirror reflection. I took a photo with my phone but I knew that wasn’t enough. Over the course of a few months, I kept going back to the lake hoping to see that again. Finally, on a mild winter afternoon around 4 pm, I was hiking along the lake and the fog was back. After so many attempts I was finally able to make the photograph I had been wanting to make for months.
Spider Lake, Olympic National Forest, Washington.
Waiting For The Snow
Wardner Peak, Silver Mountain Ski Resort.
As the seasons change and the leaves begin to fall I patiently wait for the snow to fall. The changing of the seasons is something I always look forward to. The first snow is always the most exciting time of year for me. There is nothing better than waking up and seeing that first layer of fresh snow and the silence around it.
Mornings on the gondola.
Popping off the road near chair 4.
With that first snow and the snows after it begins to pile up in the mountains. Which means its time to step into the fat skis for those deep days on the mountain. I don’t think there is a better way to spend a day. The feeling of flying down the mountain in the deep snow and shooting off natural features into the air. That time will soon be here. If you’re ever at Silver Mountain in Kellogg, Idaho feel free to shoot me an email. I’d love to go ski with you. I will be there a majority of the winter working on personal project with a friend.
A few Hot Springs and the National Bison Range
Our journey started out on a Friday afternoon where we headed out from Kellogg, Idaho on a mission to visit three different hot springs over the weekend. Our first day we had a late start and drove over to Lolo Hot Springs for the night. It was fun place to visit but we were only there for a short time since we arrived later in the day.
Kettle House Brewing, Missoula, Montana.
Early the next morning we headed to Missoula to visit a couple breweries in town there. We popped by Kettle ouse Brewing and Tamarack Brewing. Both the breweries were incredible. Some of the beers are only available in Montana which I really enjoyed. Seeking out those new beers to try is a blast.
After our time in Missoula we headed North to Hot Springs, Montana for a night. I couldn’t resist sitting in the springs for as long as I possibly could. After the first soak we headed inside for a few drinks and live music. The artist that night was Larry Hirshberg. You can find his music over at http://larryhirshberg.com/
#86sqft in its natural habitat.
The start of our third day was a chilly one. I spent the night in the bed of my truck. It was a great reminder that I need to add some insulation to the bed to keep it a little warmer now that the colder months are back again. We warmed up our vehicles and hit the road to the National Bison Range. After driving for about an hour to get there we decided to take the longer two hour loop through the Bison Range. Which was well worth it. It was foggy and dark for the beginning of the drive. Slowly but surely as we drove the sun was making the fog burn off. By the time we reached the peak and began to head back down the other side the clouds broke.
Road side snacks in the Bison Range.
Lost in the fog.
As we descended back down the mountain we could see some of the bison off in the distance. Just a little too far away to get a photo of. Towards the end of the drive there was a great spot wide open spot that looked towards the mountains. There was about 20 bison in the field in front of us. Luckily one was just close enough for my 200mm lens to get a shot. Unfortunately the one nearest to us wasn’t looking too great. As you can see in the photo below. Before this quick trip I had never heard of the National Bison Range. I am beyond happy my friends showed me this place. It is truly gorgeous. I’m looking forward to making a trip back there and back into Big Sky Country.
Deer Park Campground - ONP
Nestled high in the Olympic Mountains is a truly magical place. The Deer Park Campground is a small campground on Blue Mountain, just outside of Port Angeles, Washington. The views from the campground and the summit are incredible. On my last trip there it was slightly different. It was foggy and rainy day. Typically you would see across to Vancouver Island and almost all the way to Seattle. Being up on top of the mountain in the rain was a very welcomed experience. Especially after all of the wildfire smoke that has been sitting across the North West lately.
Foggy days from the summit.
Around 14 sites are at the campground. With a few walk-in sites tucked away by the Three Forks Trail head parking area.
This last trip I took up the mountain was to do a little work for a brand. It was a nice little solo escape for a night. I pulled in around 1 PM and proceeded to set up camp for the night. Well, the little bit I have to set up for camp.
Camp all set up.
This past trip in the rain made me realize I need an awning or a tarp for the rainy days. Probably a tarp..
The rainy days are always a nice change for shooting up there. I was looking forward to that. I've been in a creative rut lately and I felt like being back in one of my favorite places would be just what I needed. When it rains so many of the small plants on the mountain begin to sparkle in the light that casts across them.
Just a short hike out from my campsite is a large open field where you can almost always find a group of deer wandering. I only saw two on my walk to here off in the fog.
Just up from camp is perfect spot to sit and relax. I personally like to sit here and watch the clouds roll by. On a clear night its a perfect spot to stargaze. There is also perfect spots right next to your campsite to set up a hammock and spend the day relaxing.
The fog makes for an incredible time to be at Blue Mountain. There is just something about the quiet stillness of the place that is something I have not experienced anywhere else. I always look forward to my time there. I can't wait to go back there.
In the meantime I have to head over to Spokane as I get ready for this next school year to start. I am heading over a little bit earlier than I normally would. I think it will allow me to take one last little trip before school starts. The tentative plan is to head down into Stanley, Idaho. Stay tuned..
A summer of Colorado.
It's been about two years since I up and moved to Colorado on a whim for the summer. I was working a job I really did not enjoy. Stuck in the same routine every single day. I was growing tired of that. Out of the blue I had a direct message on Instagram from someone I haven't seen since 2012 when I was working at Silver Mountain. It was from a family I had met while working there. The father worked as a general manger of Luxury Ranches that catered to the outdoor lifestyle. After meeting me he had offered me a job in Montana. A year later one in Moab, Utah. Then once again the summer of 2016. They were short handed and needed the help, and I needed to get away. Long story short I immediately took the job and left.
I loaded up my Yukon and off I went down to Crawford, Colorado.
One of my favorite things about being in Colorado was the roads were always so much fun. They also took you somewhere fun. Like Needle Rock Road, it was the road you took into the Luxury Guest Ranch I worked at.
Others took you deep in the forest and surrounded you with aspens.
Another one of my favorites that was just a short distance from the ranch took you into Black Canyon of The Gunnison National Park. Which is by far one of the most impressive places I have ever been. The massive rock walls that just drop straight down into the Gunnison River below. In my time there I was able to hike down into canyon for a day. I only took a few photos while down in the canyon since I was taking a guest down into it for the day.
In my time there I truly fell in love with the state. The mountains, the trees, the people, the lifestyles. There was so much to enjoy and I only was able to get a small taste of it. The fly fishing stood out here. I went as often as I possibly could. When I was able to have two days off I would pack up my SUV and head north to the Grand Mesa. The Mesa is a truly gorgeous place. I still have so much there on the Mesa alone that I want to see.
I made friends and connections there that will last a lifetime. Sadly I really only had photos of just a few people. I spent most of time photographing the landscapes and the details of it. I regret not taking more photos of the people around me.
As my time in Colorado dwindled, the seasons began to change and winter began to arrive earlier than expected. Something I would never complain about. Seeing the landscapes around slowly begin to have blanket of snow made me even more excited for the coming winter in the North West.
I'll be back for you Colorado. It's been too long.
A walk around the SFCC Campus
